Mbane wanted to bat for Banyana against Dutch

By Andile Dladla and Mandla Dlala

The South African national women team Banyana Banyana’s proposed departure for Europe tomorrow where they were supposed to tackle the powerful Netherlands Ladies in a friendly international match on Saturday has been cancelled, much to the disappointment of among others, Bambanani Mbane.

First it was injuries that forced the national coach Desiree Ellis to make changes to the initial squad but on the eve of departure, five of the squad members tested posotove for the Corona virus sweeping the country and the SA Football Association in consultation with their Dutch counterparts decided to call off the match.

The likes of Mbane were determined to showcase her talent at a bigger stage against powerful opponents like the Dutch but circumstances did not permit the match to go ahead at a time when Sundowns players are determined to emulate their men counterparts who have dominated the DStv Premiership and the Ladies have also equally raised the bar in the Hollywoodbets Super League where they are currently setting a blistering pace where they remain the only unbeaten side after nine starts.

Their impressive performance has not gone un-noticed and national coach Desiree Ellis has selected four players to form part of the national team that would do battle against the Dutch this Saturday.

Andile Dlamini (goalkeeper), Bambanani “Juice” Mbane (defender), Oratile Mokwena (Midfielder) and Lelona Daweti (Striker) and the players that would be raising the “Yellow Nation” flag higher in national colours this week.

The global Covid-19 pandemic has played havoc with sporting activities and although several matches in week 10 of the Hollywoodbet matches have been postponed, now it has also affected the international match where most of the players were looking forward to write their names in neon lights at the international stage.

“The national team set up is special and everyone wants to represent their country,” said Mbane. “It is something that everyone aims to work extra hard to continuously improve by raising your hand to show the national team selectors that you want to be here and work for your country.

“The friendly game against the Netherlands was going to challenge us mentally but I suppose there is nothing we can do under the circumstances”.

BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FACE THE NETHERLANDS
GOALKEEPERS
1. Andile DLAMINI Mamelodi Sundowns FC Pretoria
2. Kaylin SWART JVW FC Johannesburg
3. Regirl NGOBENI University of Western Cape, Cape Town
DEFENDERS
1. Janine VAN WYK Glasgow City Scotland
2. Tiisetso MAKHUBELA Tshwane University of Pretoria
3. Noko MATLOU SD Eibar Spain
4. Bambanani MBANE Mamelodi Sundowns FC Pretoria
5. Karabo DHLAMINI University of Western Ohio Ohio, USA
6. Bongeka GAMEDE University of Western Cape, Cape Town
MIDFIELDERS
1. NTOMBIFIKILE NDLOVU Sunflower WFC KZN
2. Ongeziwe NDLANGISA Sunflower WFC KZN
3. Oratile MOKWENA Mamelodi Sundowns FC Pretoria
4. Mamello MAKHABANE JVW FC Johannesburg
5. Nomvula KGOALE Tshwane University of Pretoria Pretoria
6. Robyn MOODALY JVW FC Johannesburg
7. Noxolo CESANE University of Western Cape Cape Town
8. Gabriela SALGADO JVW FC Johannesburg
FORWARDS/ STRIKERS
1. Thembi KGATLANA SD Eibar Spain
2. Jermaine SEOPOSENWE Sporting Braga Portugal
3. Lelona DAWETI Mamelodi Sundowns FC Pretoria
4. Ode FULUTUDILU Glasgow City Scotland
5. Sibulele HOLWENI University of Western Cape Cape Town